Amy Oliver Show: Common Core Concerns Resurface in Colorado

Former assistant education secretary Bill Evers explains why he continues to resist the strong push for Common Core national education standards. The quality of standards and questions about federal influence of classroom curricula have fueled pushback in several states. Though the Common Core was adopted here two years ago, Colorado may be next, as the State Board of Education has sought input from national experts.

Putting the Brakes on National Curriculum, Testing

Hoover Institution research fellow and former Assistant Secretary of Education Bill Evers discusses an organized effort he is helping to lead to put a stop to national curriculum and national tests for America’s public K-12 schools. He explains the dangers in the current Common Core standards process and how concerned citizens can join the cause by signing an online manifesto.

Colorado Loses Race to the Top: Now What?

Randy DeHoff from the State Board of Education recaps how Colorado fell short in the Race to the Top federal grant competition, and discusses the aftermath for the state’s teacher tenure and evaluation reform (SB 191), Common Core academic standards and more.

Price for State Board to Adopt Common Core Standards Is Simply Too High

Well, Monday is the State Board of Education’s moment of truth: the decision whether or not to adopt Common Core standards. What once looked like an outcome not in doubt has changed in recent days. A great Ed News Colorado story today by Todd Engdahl lays it out well.
Some of the decisions made by the [...]

Resolved to Fight for Local Control

Have state and national officials overstepped their bounds in setting education policy? Gerald Keefe, superintendent of Kit Carson School District in rural eastern Colorado, explains why his district has taken the lead in resisting national standards and advocating for the rights of local school boards to set curriculum requirements.

How Do Common Core Standards Compare to Colorado’s New Academic Standards?

The deadline for the Colorado State Board of Education to decide whether to approve Common Core Standards (CCS) is fast approaching, now only two weeks away. The debate continues to pick up steam. Are these academic standards for K-12 students truly high quality and voluntary? Is there truly a benefit beyond the money tied to adopting Common Core?

Is Colorado Heading Toward National Tests?

While many are well aware of the active push for greater federal government control of health care, what about in the area of education? Colorado State Board of Education member Peggy Littleton explains her concerns with the Race to the Top requirement that Colorado and other states sign on to the Common Core Standards, leading the state down a path toward national curriculum and assessments.

Follow the Important Decision on Colorado’s Social Studies Standards

Update: I’m still hanging out over at Twitter. Social studies standards were slated for 10:40 (not 10:20, my bad) — but not surprisingly the State Board is already behind on its agenda. Stay tuned….
A couple months ago I told you about the new social studies standards Colorado is seeking to adopt. Well, thanks to your [...]

CDE Gathers Feedback on Social Studies Standards

Colorado is making major revisions to the state’s academic standards. At the Independence Institute, we’re especially interested in the Social Studies standards. Our own Ben DeGrow has served on the subcommittee to draft new standards for h…

Drafting New Colorado Social Studies Standards

The state of Colorado is working on a major revision of preschool-through-12th grade academic standards for Social Studies (i.e., History, Civics, Geography, and Economics). The Education Policy Center’s Pam Benigno and Ben DeGrow discuss the process of drafting the standards, offer some of their initial impressions, and encourage citizens to share their feedback directly with the Colorado Department of Education.